Turning 30: The slow and meteoric rise of the WNBA

The WNBA is turning 30, but the first 30 seconds of its existence set the tone. The New York Liberty were playing at the Los Angeles Sparks, on June 21, 1997, at a place called the Fabulous Forum, in front of a crowd dying for equality. Then Jerry Buss showed up.

He was there with his harem, his top three shirt buttons missing, his combover glistening, in a Forum Club that reeked of cigarette smoke and Dior Dune. An hour before tipoff, in walked Val Ackerman, the former University of Virginia basketball star handpicked by NBA Commissioner David Stern to oversee the WNBA’s day-to-day. And Day 1 was supposed to be perfect.

Buss, the Lakers and Sparks owner, couldn’t have reveled more in the moment. He predicted a league full of superstars who’d sell out arenas, film Gatorade commercials and rake in maybe million-dollar salaries some far-off day in the future.

“And oh, by the way, Val, I want to introduce you to Miss April,” Buss said. “She’ll be singing the national anthem.”




https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/03/turning-30-the-slow-and-meteoric-rise-of-the-wnba/